Now THAT'S Better!

Yep.  That's a lot better.  I had to have

that ring off for a few days due to my recent

knee surgery.  I took advantage of that to have

it re-sized at Honeycutt's Jeweler's in Southern

Pines, where Judy bought it for me 39 years ago.

Now it fits, but not too loosely, and has been

re-engraved and nicely burnished.

It's back where it belongs.

So that's better, and so is my knee!

Since most of you have family or friends

with plenty of surgical experiences (and

quite possibly yourselves), I won't bore you

with a journal type review of my own experience.

But I would like to say I thank God and the people

He has placed in my life that have made this a time

of learning, healing, and thanksgiving.

First, my surgeon, Dr. Jason Guevara, is a Christian,

and member of Judy's church, Grace Church.  So is

Dr. Lupkus, who in spite of still recovering from his

own knee surgery, came in on his day off to be my

anesthesiologist.  Other Christian friends have been

there for me at every turn.

The very best part of all is that I wasn't sent to a

rehab center.  I was sent straight home under the

care of Moore County's best caregiver and cook,

my Judy.

She's still in the midst of helping me with 21 one

days of sponge baths, washing hair in the kitchen

sink, and making sure I get my meds and ice on time.

My appetite has been good, but not big, so our left-

overs are lasting longer.  But every meal since I

woke up from surgery has been a pleasure, and I'm

thankful for that.

They give you plenty of pain meds, and I'm gradually

being weaned from them.  The leg muscles were

strong before surgery, and thanks to the wise

guidance of home therapists from First Health

and now Dr. Teri Walsh of Appalachian Physical

Therapy, the muscles are coordinating better and

better to make the new knee function naturally.

Teri says I should avoid tennis and running or

shooting basketball layups.  Anything with great

impact is a no-no.  But hiking is a YES. She even

said I'll be fine to teach the grandkids Four Square

when the time is right.  I need to ask her about

jump rope tricks.  I know that's high impact, but

perhaps with a cushioned mat I can at least show

the kids some cool tricks when they're about 8.

So I'm thankful, excited, and hopeful about a full

return to my favorite activities.  Surgery on the

second knee awaits, possibly by mid-summer.

If it goes as well as this one, by fall I truly will

feel like I'm liberated by my new healthy knees.